Metallic building block



July so, 1940. c. GRUBB 2.209564 METALLIC BUILDING BLOCK 4 Filed June-22,- 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CLmuncs Gnuaa.

ATTORNEY J y 30 9 0- c. GRUBB 2.209564 METALLIC BUILDING BLOCK Filed June 22, 19:59 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l mfl. Fla. 9

INVENTOR Cuansucs Gmuaa.

. .4, fiF'ma iK- xm Patented July 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT forrlca 2,209,564 METALLIC Immune BLOCK Clarence Grubb, Allentown, Pa.

Application June 22, 1939, Serial No. 280,451

7 Claims.

My invention relates to building wall structures, more particularly to metallic blocks therefor, and has for an object the provision of improved building units.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a metallic building unit suitable for mass production, resulting in reduced cost. Another object of the invention is the provision of a metallic building unit which can be readily assembled with others of its kind to provide the walls of a building or similar structure, without any special knowledge of the building art.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a fabricated metallic building unit so constructed as to provide a high degree of strength with a minimum oi weight.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a wall structure comprised by a plurality of interfltting buildingunits or blocks, together with means for securing the latter against displacement in all directions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a wall structure comprised by a plurality of interfltting building units so constructed as to provide ample space within the wall structure for the unobstructed passage of pipes, conduits, etc., in both horizontal and vertical directions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a wall structure having all of its joints lapped to prevent passage through the latter of I wind, rain, etc.

. inside corner construction;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view through a corner construction such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a half-length block, such as is necessary adjacent window and door frames;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a wall of a building, with portions broken away between floors, the section being taken along the line V-V of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the inside of a building wall, with portions broken away for the sake of cleamess, and taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5; and,

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are side, top and end views, respectively, of a building block or unit constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail. there is shown at Iii (Fig. 1) a building wall comprised by a plurality of blocks or units II.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, each unit II is comprised by a rectangular box-like member entirely open at top and bottom, and preferably made of six pieces of sheet steel, spotwelded together as hereinafter indicated. Two identical side plates I! are held in spaced-apart relation by a pair of transversely-extending end plates I3, provided with right-angularly-disposed flanges Il, spot-welded to the inner surfaces of the side plates I2. The end plates I3 are positioned inwardly of the ends of the side plates with their flanges Il extending in the same direction. One of the end plates has portions Ila of its flanges projecting beyond the ends of the side plates a material distance (Figs. 7 and 8) to provide a male portion, while the other end plate is disposed inwardly of the ends of the side plates a corresponding distance to define a female portion between the ends I2a of the side plates I2. Thus, each block has at one end a male portion Ila to fit into the female portion of an adjacent block, and at the other end a female portion I20 to receive the male portion of an adjacent block. In this manner each block is interlocked with the blocks at each side of it in the same course or row.

, Similarly, each block is provided with means for interlocking with the blocks immediately above and below. To this end the side plates I2 have secured to their inner surfaces, in overlapping relation to their upper edges, horizontal guide strips I5, whose upwardly projecting portions I50. provide a male member adapted to be received between the lower edges of the side plates of the overlying blocks.

It should be noted that the horizontal .guide strips I5 abut the top edges of the flanges H, and have their ends flush with the outer edge of the male portion Ila and the inner edge of the female portion I2a (Fig. 7). Furthermore, the end plates I 3 and their flanges Il have their lower edges disposed upwardly from the lower edges of the side plates I2 a distance corresponding to the height of the male portions I5a of the guide strips I5.

This dimensioning results, when the blocks are in assembled relation, in each side plate having contact with adjacent side plates at all portions of its periphery, whereby, a smooth surface, with-- I out open cracks, is provided. Furthermore, the

flanges l4 and the guide strips l5 abut, both horizontally' and vertically, with the corresponding parts of adjacent blocks.

This end-to-end engagement of the various elements making up the blocks results in a large percentage of the load on the structure being transmitted through compression of the individual elements, with correspondingly small shear stresses at the, spot welds, or other connections, of each block. "Furthermore, it provides for overlapping of all jointsbetween abutting side plates I2.

While I prefer to unite the elements of each block in assembled relation by spot-welding, I desire it understood that my invention is not limited to welding, as there may be conditions where other forms of connections, such as bolts, rivets, etc., may prove satisfactory.

Each end plate 53 is provided with a centrallylocated hole H, for the passage of bolts l8 carrying nuts [9. Each pair of end plates at adjacent ends of assembled blocks are bolted together to positively prevent longitudinal separation or spreading of the blocks (Figs. 3 to 6). Thus, all of the blocks in each course or row are secured together.

In erecting a wall, the blocks are arranged in horizontal courses or rows. In placing the courses of blocks, one. on the other, it is preferable to stagger them, so as to break the joints, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The invention also provides means for interconnecting and anchoring the blocks vertically, and to this end there are provided tie-rods 2| having at each end an eye 22 for passage therethrough of the bolts l8. Inasmuch as blocks in adjacent courses are staggered, the bolts l8 of alternate courses will be in vertical alignment. This results in alternate courses being connected vertically, as shown in Fig. 6.

There may be conditions where it is unnecessary to anchor all of the courses vertically, and certain tie-rods 2| may be omitted, as desired. Likewise, under certain circumstances, a few long tie-rods, extending the full height of the wall and anchoring the top course to the foundation, may

suflice.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate various features of construction which are desirable: in connection with the walls of a building of two or more stories. The blocks of the bottom course are of special construction, differing from my standard block, previously described, in that the side plates are provided with inwardly-directed bottom flanges 25, adapted to be secured, by bolts 26, or other suitable means, to the concrete foundation 2]. The foundation is of sufficient width to provide a horizontal inner shoulder 28, on which rest the first floor beams or stringers 29.

I provide special supporting means for the stringers 30 of intermediate floors; said means comprising metallic stirrups 3| having a vertical wall 32 spot-welded, or otherwise secured, to the inner side plates of a course of blocks, a horizontal bottom supporting plate 33 on which the ends of the stringers 30 rest, and triangular side walls 34 connecting the wall 32 and plate 33 and serving to retain the stringers in on-end position.

The topmost stringers 36, at the level of the eaves, rest on the top course of blocks, which are of the same construction as those of the bottommost course, but inverted. Bolts 31 extend through the stringers 35 and the flanges 25 on the blocks, and are secured bynuts 38.

As shown in Fig. 3, I provide a block of special construction for use at corners. To this end, the block is provided with one closed end 4| and a flanged plate 42 at one side adjacent the closed end 4| with portions 43 of the flanges projecting outwardly for reception in the female portion |2a of the standard block. Obviously, there will be both right-hand and left-hand corner blocks.

Likewise, in Fig. 4, I illustrate ahalf block 45,

- for use adjacent doors and windows, this block differing from the standard block II only in that tion herein disclosed lies in the provision of spaces 47 within the wall between the end plates l3 of adjacent courses, these spaces providing for the free passage, in a horizontal direction, of pipes, conduits, etc. 'Obviously, there is also ample space for pipes or conduits in the vertical direction.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A building block formed of sheet metal, comprising a. pair of. flat rectangular side plates and a pair of transversely-extending flanged end plates disposed with their flanges extending in the same direction, said end plates being secured to said side plates inwardly of the ends of the latter and defining, with the latter, male and female end portions for interlocking engagement, when assembled, with complementary female and male portions, respectively, of adjacent blocks of-the same course.

2 A building block formed of sheet metal, comprising a pair of rectangular side plates, a pair of transversely-extending end plates disposed inwardly of the ends of said side plates for maintaining the latter in parallel spaced-apart relation, and right-angle flanges at the vertical edges of said end plates and secured in abutting relation to the inner surfaces of said side plates, one of. said end plates having a portion of its flanges extending outwardly beyond the ends of the side plates to provide a male portion and the other end plate having its flanges extending in the same direction as those of said one end plate, the portions of said side plates which are outwardly of said other end plate providing a female portion, said male and female portions being adapted to interflt with female and male portions, respectively, of adjacent blocks of, the same course, when assembled therewith.

3. A structure as specified in claim 2; including horizontal guide strips secured to the inner surfaces of the side plates in overlapping relation to the upper edges thereof to provide upwardly-projecting male portions for reception between the lower edges of the side plates of adjacent overlying blocks; and wherein the lower edges of the end plates and their flanges are spaced above the lower edges of. the side plates a distance corresponding to the upward projection of the guide strips to define female portions for reception of the complementary male portions smooth outer surfaces free of open cracks, and the end plate flanges and guide strips will abut in end-to-end relation, both vertically and horizontally, and will transmit a large portion of the compressive forces present in said wall structure.

4. A building wall comprising a plurality of interfltting metallic blocks; each block including side plates and transverse end plates for maintaining said side plates in spaced parallel position, said end plates having openings for the passage therethrough of bolts; bolts extending through said openings and securing the blocks in end-to-end relation, in courses, the blocks of adjacent courses being staggered; and tie-rods vertically interconnecting blocks of alternate courses.

5. A structure as specified in claim 4, wherein the tie-rods are provided at their ends with means connecting them to the bolts of alternate courses of blocks.

6. A building block for use at a right angle corner, comprising a first rectangular side plate; an end plate secured to one end thereof and extending at right angles thereto; a first flanged end plate secured thereto near, but inwardly of, the other end thereof; a second rectangular side plate of less length than the first side plate and maintained in spaced parallel relation thereto by said flanged end plate; and a second flanged end plate parallel to the two side plates and connecting the first-mentioned end plate with the second side plate.

7. A building block formed of sheet metal, comprising a pair of rectangular side plates, a pair of. transversely-extending flanged end plates secured to said side plates inwardly of the ends of the latter and defining, with the latter, male and female end portions for interlocking engagement, when assembled, with complementary female portions of adjacent blocks therebeneath. 25

CLARENCE GRUBB. 

